I was staying at Canyons in Minakami and they have their own onsen on site. I and a couple of Aussie guides prceeded to cool off by jumping out of the window (ground floor) and running around in the snow. We then egged each other on to do more stupid things; sit ups in snow, snow ball fight, sitting in a stream and finally I stood under a fir tree and attempted to shake a snow shower; unfortunately a big lump of snow melt/ice crashed onto my head. God knows what the locals thought if they saw 3 gaijins running around naked near the river.

I could imagine what the locals thought about 3 naked Gaij running about like loonies in the snow.

Anyone been down to Yugawara for the onsens? I'm heading down there tomorrow for a bit of a hike and soak

Where abouts is that Tubby Beaver?

Its down near to the Kanagawa\Shizuoka border. The very outer edges of the Hakone/Izu National Park thingy, at the top of the Izu penninsula. Just got back and had an awesome day. Weather was beautiful, hike wasn't difficult, a good day's walking, nice views over the Pacific and the onsen was the best I've been to outside of a snow area!!

No points for an artistic dive in.

Although if you go in quickly, don't be surprised to jump right back out again.

Also as you climb in, some people say achee, acheee, acheeeee in a pleasurable way

Just make sure your etiquette level is slightly higher than that of the snow monkeys and all should be fine and dandy.

Here is another thread about Beer in the onsen

OK, it's time for a graphic reminder.

This applies to onsens too.

that. was. just. WRONG!

It's scary

Its also fake

really?

I thought that was real actually.

It is worth repeat viewings whatever.